You can just tell when you are listening to people who have been well brought up. Sufficiently well brought up that you know for certain that they haven’t even thought about shoplifting as a career option. Therefore, it is with some certainty that I state that Blues Sky Archives – all five of the Glasgow pets – are good clean living Christian boys and girl.
They’ve got that Persil white West End of Glasgow sound for a start. A bit dramatic (but not so much as to be scary) and a smart, if somewhat self reverential, approach to putting that groove down. While “Dear Middle Aged Ponytail” and “Your Stage Left” possess a natural poise, Paul Mark McGrath’s lead takes the band on a path well slimed previously by the likes of Deacon Blue. Swapping in the girlish charms of Lauren Mayberry on "A Mighty Handful" to enliven the vocals works rather better as she easily outpaces the swirling guitars and busy drums.
This EP is just what you expect of one of your better Glasgow bands which, I reckon, is a good thing.